Trinity College vs. RISD

Trinity College and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Trinity College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 29.2%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1380.
  • Cheaper after aid: Trinity College. Average net price is $36,071 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Trinity College 86% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Trinity College $71,500 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Trinity College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Trinity College29.2%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Trinity College1298-1470
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Trinity College $7,421 less
Trinity College$36,071
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $8,082 less
Trinity College$70,770
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $8,082 less
Trinity College$70,770
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +1 pts
Trinity College86%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Trinity College +$20,400
Trinity College$71,500
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Trinity College 7,460
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Trinity College 2,182
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Trinity College 29.2%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Trinity College 24.8%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Trinity College 1380
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Trinity College 32
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Trinity College 3.8
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Trinity College A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Trinity College Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Trinity College High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Trinity College 1298-1470
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Trinity College 30-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Trinity College Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Trinity College Jan 17, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Trinity College $18,890
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Trinity College $36,071
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Trinity College $51,754
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Trinity College 73%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Trinity College 86%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Trinity College $71,500
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Trinity College 81%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Trinity College $21,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Trinity College $217
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Trinity College 9:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Trinity College
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Trinity College Hartford, CT
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Trinity College Midsize City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Trinity College 2,238
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Trinity College Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Trinity College #47
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Trinity College based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 12% lower than at Trinity College ($16,626 vs. $18,890).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Trinity College than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $8,082 more per year; $70,770 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at Rhode Island School of Design (73% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity College students is 35.4% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($51,754 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Trinity College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at RISD (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Trinity College and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Trinity College average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($217 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 81%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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